The Hartley Arms in West Berkshire

Excellent Sunday roast, a really nice atmosphere and great service just what you need on a dark winter day. We shall certainly be returning.

We happened upon this little pub by chance mid afternoon, and stopped off for a pint & drinks etc. The welcome was warm & genuine, and the general ambiance seemed excellent with a tasteful & slightly quirky decor. Whilst enjoying our drinks we browsed the menu, and it sounded interesting. However evening meals did not start until 6pm (fair enough) and it being mid afternoon we decided to head back to the hotel & instead eat at a place we had earlier identified that was within walking distance of our accommodation. I shall not sully this review with our "experience" at the other establishment, suffice to say we booked a taxi to the Hartley Arms. The food was beautifully presented, and cooked perfectly.. I particularly liked my lamb. The service ( an owner, I suspect, as she appeared to be doing all the front of house) was attentive without being intrusive. Somewhat off the beaten track for me, but well worth a visit for anyone in the area imho.

Devine Pumpkin 🎃 soup, you snooze you lose, changing to a new menu in Dec! Thank you chef Milan! We came back especially for this plate of wonder!!

Had a wonderful meal on Thursday night with my mother and brother. Food and ambiance was fantastic

A fabulous pub. Fantastic service and the Sunday lunch was absolutely delicious. Splendid starters and then incredible roast beef with a great selection of vegetables. We were far too full to have a pudding, so we'll have to save that for next time! Very highly recommended.

Although it was the first visit it most certainly will not be the last. The welcome was incredibly warm, the service was with a smile and a high level of professionalism. The pub has a cosy, welcoming feel and everyone is welcomed, especially the furry companions. It is very obviously a dog friendly pub as there were already 3 other dogs when we got there, with a lovely mix of family groups and couples. The service was attentive but not overly intrusive and it was prompt and efficient. The portions were great in fact the starters were more like light bites. The menu is very seasonal and obviously has quality ingredients, the flavours being the stars of this show. On a gloomy Saturday afternoon the menu really hit the spot. Everything was piping hot, full of flavour and even the 2 condiments were made in house, the mayo and tartare sauce were delicious. The delicious chocolate fondant was the perfect luxurious end to a great experience. It seems like a lot of thought has gone into the core customer Base that will visit here, quality over quantity and real feel of local produce, the gin I was chose was Ramsbury which is made a few miles down the road. An absolute gem of a place, with the Honesty Cafe option at the other end (i didn't visit today but it is a solid excuse to visit again very, very soon. And therein lies my dilemma, it's a place that the local community needs to support, use it or lose it. But if i sing the much deserved praises to all my friends then chances are it will become as successful as it deserves to be, a small price to pay for having such a gem in my doorstep.

Excellent food and friendly staff. Well worth visiting.

Good food, great service but cool atmosphere

Allison and Alan have the best pub in the area. We often come around here for family pub meals, and this is our first time to come to the Hartley Arms. We had lunch on a Saturday and it was busy but great atmosphere. The food was amazing. Every dish we ordered was so tasty. We ate Scampi, chicken and rabbit roulade and seasonal vegetable soup as starters. With our mains being Steak, pan fried fish of the day and fish and chips. I wish this was my local pub in London

Not the warmest welcome. Perhaps they are not teddy bear people. Or perhaps not crazy lady filming her teddy bear entering the pub. We sat inside for a while. There are just a few tables by the bar. It appears that it is mostly aimed at dining. There are seats outside, including picnic tables by the river. Mummy at least, got a thank you for bringing her empty glass back inside. She even got a smile!

Was in the area and called in for lunch. Friendly staff, beautiful quaint exterior. Interior fittings and decor have a high quality feel to them. The food did not disappoint either. I had the fish special which was trout. Perfectly cooked with crispy skin, everything expertly seasoned. High end restaurant quality, many thanks.

We enjoyed the most terrific meal last night. The food was outstanding… one of the best meals we’ve ever eaten. Thank you for the tentative caring service and attention to detail.. Neil and Sue

A lovely, light dinner in a chic and comfortable gastro-pub. Food delicately put together. You'll find some treats on the wine list and be reassured by the attentive service.

A lovely pub, perfect pretty location, great parking outside. Food was the best pub food we have had in a long time , the Beef was tender tasty and not over cooked , lovely fresh veggies and good roast potatoes ,home made Yorkshire pudding ! The fish was delicious and perfectly flavoured, great puddings, cheese board was great way to end the meal .

Absolutely loved the food here and the service was great.

Absolutely Brilliant!! We stopped for lunch on our way to Southampton having found the place on TripAdvisor. What an amazing find, the food was brilliant, service was just right and a lovely location. We all ate off the Pub Classics section of the menu which offers exceptional value for money. Thank you so much for looking after us we will be sure to make this our regular stop off point for any future journeys.

How lucky are we to have this fabulous little gem tucked away in Donnington village? The perfect place to sit outside with a sharpener and watch the world go by in a location hardly touched by time. And if you're feeling peckish, the menu is always top notch, locally sourced, beautifully cooked and served with a smile.

We had an amazing dinner here when we were down visiting the area. The food was absolutely incredible and a great selection to choose from. The servers were so friendly and it's a lovely place to sit and enjoy the meal, fantastic decor and ambience. We will definitely be back!

Nice pub. Sat by the river. Will be back.

Delicious food and drink, lovely cosy atmosphere, polite waiters and managers. 10/10 will be back soon!

Wow! Just had an amazing dinner cooked to perfection, with some amazing wine to go with it. Plates licked clean. These places are few and far between so just go try it out.

Went there between the lunch and dinner service, so a restricted menu - but delicious nonetheless!

A amazing Sunday lunch, in a beautiful set out room and bar. Service good and efficient.

Attended a brilliant comedy night - would recommend!

What am amazing meal and the photograph shows whats left of the cheese board !! Great Service and the lamb is heavenly

What a fantastic pub restaurant! Perfectly placed for the evening sun at the front and it’s so lovely inside. The food, ah the food, just excellent! Really great up market gastro pub stuff. There was a comedy night which is the best I’ve been to in Newbury. Definitely a new favourite!

Only stopped in for a pint on the river. A beautiful setting. Look forward for returning for food very soon!

Very nice gastropub close by Donnington Castle food was excellent. Selection could be better😏😉.

Manager and young lad on service were lovely. Food absolutely unreal and manager was very accommodating of our young child, and even booked us last minute

After reading a review in our local paper we tried it out and were thoroughly impressed. The pub is tucked away down a little lane by the river. We had the Sunday Roast. The meat was perfection, the roast veggies and cauliflower cheese were really good, the roast potatoes weren't crunchy though. As we left we were tempted to take a peak into their adjoining Honesty cafe which was full of fresh baked goods and little treasures like cards and sweets. We will be back.

Excellent food and accommodating servive

Had an amazing evening at the comedy night. Amazing food (burger and pie), great drinks (local ale and wine), perfect service and great entertainment. Prices are very reasonable for the quality. You couldn't ask for more from your local pub!

Comedy night. Very good. Great atmosphere.

We had a wonderful lunch at The Hartley Arms. The food is absolutely amazing. The staff were brilliant, friendly efficient and helpful. So looking forward to a return visit

This is the best meal we have had for a long time. We really couldn't fault the food, from a small menu but couldn't disappoint. We would certainly recommend (and hope we can get in when we return!) N & J Spaven

Another great evening at the Harley Arms! The atmosphere was great, service polite and punctual and the food was amazing. The steaks were cooked to perfection and the red mullet starter was amazing - the crispy kale and cauliflower puree set off the fish perfectly. Will visit again for sure

Update April 2024 Another superb meal at The Hartley Arms. Delicious pork cheeks for starter and lamb foe main course. Also a delicious steak. Wrapped things up with a tasty rhubarb crumble. Friendly service and an enjoyable evening. Excellent evening. Booked to dine at the last minute and enjoyed a delicious steak and lovely bottle of wine from the discounted wine list. Friendly service and will definitely visit again.

Brilliant Sunday Roast ending with chocolate éclairs and baileys ice cream. A very good option for vegetarian.

Owners are super friendly, food is absolutely delicious, and the dining area is lovely place to sit. Local produce, local beer, very happy diners. Definitely worth a visit.

A hidden treasure with a small but outstanding menu.

Superb service, kind to let me use the wifi as ahead of schedule and excellent food – will definitely be back.

Best Pie I've ever had in UK! So light and tasty! Venison steak my husband ordered was divine! Had bread basket to start with, great "sourdough? " bread but would be nice to serve them warm. Service was hid and miss but understood that they had a very busy night.

The Hartley arms hosted a celebration lunch for my family and friends. Food and service was exceptional! Thanks team for an incredible day! Would recommend to anyone!

What a day!!! The Hartley Arms hosted our wedding reception, it was everything we wanted. Alison and Alan were incredible at every stage, with menu planning (working around allergies), decorations and order of the day. The food was fantastic and the atmosphere was perfect.

Two visits, food very good, attentative service, airy dining area. Parking can be a challenge if their car park is full.

Fantastic and reasonably priced food. Staff were incredibly friendly and really helpful.

Lunch after a walk down from Snelsmore. Excellent food, not the cheapest but well worth it. Nice service. Bit empty but we were there as soon as it had opened.

Lovely little find. Walking past on my way back from Donnington castle. Great beer, great service and the food looks amazing. Will be back to try it soon.

Excellent Sunday lunch. Superb gravy.

Tried this pub for a pre Christmas lunch. Nice little pub, cosy and nice atmosphere inside. There’s a small car park opposite which was very convenient. Food was lovely, the roast pork was delicious. I was hoping there would be more menu options other than Sunday roasts but it was ok as it was tasty. Sadly they ran out of one of the desserts but we were happy with the coffees. The staff were really friendly, would recommend!

My family and I just had a meal at the Hartley Arms as an early Christmas get together. The food was excellent and Alison and Alan looked after us very well despite having a full house. Thank you for a great evening and it was so nice to see so many people enjoying food at the Hartley Arms!

Good and service were excellent but we were one of only three tables so can’t comment on atmosphere. Would go again for sure

Wonderful food, each dish obviously cooked with a lot of care and flair, full of flavour...

Such a good lunch today, every single morsel was delicious. The manager Ali is an amazing host always making us feel welcome.

Amazing meal at this lovely pub/restaurant, great staff and a lovely atmosphere

such a lovely pub with a great atmosphere, our waitress Emily was so charismatic and attentive and the food was cooked perfectly❤️

Great food in a lovely old building.

Excellent experience the food was first class- short menu but we like that - I'm always suspicious of massive menus. Great wine and beer. Service was spot on - highly recommend this place it is immaculately set out also dog friendly.

We popped in for lunch - absolutely amazing, perfect size portions with very well made food. Since then I've come back for beers and the service just continues to be great. Good beers, easy to chat to staff, good music in the background, I'll definitely be back again!

A lovely hide away, great service, delicious food. We will be back

Love this place. Staff very friendly, Small menu, so you know it is fresh. Good Wine list.

Exceptional staff and selection of drinks

Lovely atmosphere, lovely staff, lovely food and lovely for a night out

Gorgeous food and good service!

Been there 6 times now, different menu each time but same great food, staff and ambiance each time.

Had a fabulous meal there. The lamb shank was to die for. Best ever.

An inedible lamb shank spoiled my first visit. A dried cut, immersed in unpleasantly oily gravy. I didn't see the waiting staff do any check backs whatsoever. So this issue wasn't detected until I mentioned it when the server came to take our plates. The server offered no apology or showed any real concern for the disappointment. A paltry £4 was discounted from our bill. The untouched Lamb Shank was priced at £23. There is work to be done on the food and service here. I really hope this happens as this is a much needed cozy hostelry at this end of Newbury.

Fab roast, friendly service and clear communication when dessert was delayed! My only complaint was that the roast menu stated 'greens' and there was nothing green in sight :/ Despite this, we would definitely return!

Fantastic service and one of the best roasts we’ve experienced.

Excellent. We were a party coming from various points in the South- Cornwall New Forest, Gloucester, London and our hostess gave us plenty of time to group and order in twos and threes. We were delighted. We will be back

What a fabulous place to eat. I have had lunch here three times and shall keep coming back. A very warm welcome and excellent food - what more could you ask for

We love the Hartley Arms and come regularly. It’s one of our top favourite restaurants in Newbury. Last night was no different and we had a wonderful dinner.

Excellent food. Perfect service in an attractive and comfortable environment.

Honestly the best roasts we’ve ever had! Such a shame we live so far away - want to come to Farnham? 🤤 Had a wonderful New Year’s Day Sunday lunch. Lovely staff, incredible food and drink and a beautiful setting. A lovely 20 min walk around Donnington castle afterwards too. Thank you.

Great value good wholesome food great service

Lovely environment, good service and great food!

Wonderful service - exceptional food. Couldn’t recommend more! And the landlady/other staff are just lovely.

I was with my friend for a dinner and we was amazed about the quality of the food and service. Everything was amazing, starting with the food and ending with the atmosphere....a great place to have good food and a nice time in a cozy restaurant. The duck was just perfect! It's a must go x

Excellent local pub in Donnington, its a real traditional pub with friendly service. Food is very good, modern British, with decent portion sizes. There's a car park area opposite and its in a nice quiet area, just off the b road. Ordered the roast pork belly which was a decent size. The skin wasn't easy to cut but was tasty. The brussel sprouts were nice but a little firm, but were cooked. All the roast vegetables were tasty, and will seasoned. The pork was very tasty, with a smoky flavour, wasn't soft so slightly tricky to cut but was still good nonetheless. Recommended.

Came for a roast lunch today with some friends. We were asked to pre-order due to a large group also pre-booked. Food came out shortly after arriving and it was one of the best roast dinners I’ve ever had. Will definitely be back again!

A restaurant mistakenly described as a pub. If you fancy popping in for a drink then you'll be required to squeeze into the tiny entrance hall or brave the outdoors. Don't even think about sitting in the dining room even when empty. Unfortunately the beer didn't improve the experience.

Ben and Alison hosted our belated Wedding celebration for 35 guests at the Hartley Arms in October 2022. We can truly say that we had the best day - the venue, the staff, the drinks and the delicious canapés, dinner and cheese table - everything was perfect. Ben listened attentively at our meetings leading up to the event and nothing was too much trouble for him - he was extremely flexible and allowed us to decorate the venue just as we wanted. Ben and team made sure we had nothing to worry about on the day, they were very accommodating and made the event so special for us. We would without a doubt recommend the Hartley Arms if you’re thinking of having any kind of celebratory event at their venue (be it a wedding, birthday party, anniversary party etc), we are very happy with our decision and look forward to visiting many times in the future! Thanks again Ben, Alison and Fran. Best wishes, James and Kate

Food was delicious, priced at the higher end. It just would’ve been nice if we were acknowledged as we were leaving.

Wonderful gastropub. Has high quality restaurant menu as well as burgers etc. They've also recently sectioned off the bar area from the main dining area to make it welcoming if you just want to pop in for a pint. Follow their Instagram to hear about live music and comedy nights.

One of the best pubs I visited. Food is prepared in fine detail. I enjoy live music and good selection of local ale and bitter. The management will go extra mile to ensure that you have a great time and experience. The decor is intriguing and modern but suits older generation to. Pub with future. Definitely will visit again

Really good service, open airy room, pretty setting and gorgeous food

Met up with family I'd not seen for 21 years. Nice Sunday atmosphere. Friendly staff. Really tasty food. Great stuff!

Popped in here at around 10pm for a drink. The sign outside told us we should (said something along the lines of...come and have a drink with us) so we did. A restaurant rather than a pub, there is a very small bar area which we chose not to sit in because it was cramped - it already had two couples in it. We were snobbily told that we could not sit in the 'restaurant area' as it was closed (even though there were some tables which had not been set) so sat outside on one of the three tiny tables. Not the warm welcome we expected after reading the sign.. Only two ales on tap. My companion said the other one was ok, the one I had wasn't particularly good and soapy.

Lovely pub nice atmosphere, but can’t justify charging £35 for a bottle of presseco daylight robbery!!!

First visit yesterday and very impressed with the renovations. Greeted by Ben the Manager who gave us just the right level of service. The trout was excellent and so were the puddings. The gentle background music was in keeping. We will definitely be returning.

Yummy tapas is how I would describe The Hartley Arms, lovely wine, male friends thoroughly enjoyed the real ale. Staff smiley and friendly.. Thanks.

We only stopped for a drink - superb location in a small, quaint village. There's outside seating next to a stream. For us, It was too noisy with people talking - no soft furnishings to deafened the noise, otherwise it would have rated 4 stars in my opinion.

Refurbished a year or so ago, now looks great, with a nice atmosphere and great staff. Parking just across the road by a pretty river. Also has an associated cafe, which is open on the weekends, and is great for just grabbing a simple sandwich or the like.

The tapas was delicious we stopped for a quick drink. The ale was very good, I had a glass of the Pinot Noir, enjoyable. The staff very happy and helpful. Would definitely recommend..

Was disappointed to be turned away due to the restaurant having no food (despite a booking). Understand these things happen but no one attempted to contact us in advance and we were rudely informed at the door with no explanation or apology.

Great little pub to have a drink on a summer day by the river, on the benches opposite. Can’t wait to come back and try the food. Plus they have lovely glasses that the serve drinks in!

We have been here fairly often and the food is always great but last night they out did themselves, the chef was on fire every course simply delicious. Starters and main all cooked to perfection finishing with the lemon posset which was just delightful. We also bought the dog along and he chilled with a big bowl of water under our table. Perfect meal.

Very nice food made with quality ingredients. Pleasant staff. It's a shame we're not local enough to eat here more often!

Absolutely amazing food, great friendly staff 😀

We had a delightful lunch at Hartley Arms! Ben provided a fantastic experience through his kind and generous manner. The food was creative and delicious!